Promotion winning skipper Grant Leadbitter will return to the club this week to take up a new role within our Academy.
Midfielder Grant made 230 appearances for Boro between 2012 and 2019 before returning to his boyhood club Sunderland where he saw out his career until announcing retirement in the summer of 2021.
The 36-year-old spent last season gaining his UEFA A Licence and was a regular visitor to the Academy where he worked closely with our age-group coaches at Rockliffe.
He now returns in a formal capacity as our Individual Development Coach.
The role will see Grant working with players across the different age groups where he will offer added coaching and support, and will also work with closely with the coaches within our Academy.
Academy manager Craig Liddle said: “It’s great to have someone with Grant’s experience on board. He’s worked hard on his coaching qualifications over the past year and he brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding.
“He’s an example for the young players in our Academy because of what he achieved in his career and he knows what it takes to be a good professional.”